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The Lovecraft Squad: All Hallows Horror

There has always been something wrong about All Hallows Church. Not just the building, but the very land upon it stands. Reports dating back to Roman times reveal that it has always been a bad place--blighted by strange sightings, unusual phenomena, and unexplained disappearances.
So in the 1990s, a team of para-psychiatrists is sent in to investigate the various mysteries There has always been something wrong about All Hallows Church. Not just the building, but the very land upon it stands. Reports dating back to Roman times reveal that it has always been a bad place--blighted by strange sightings, unusual phenomena, and unexplained disappearances.
So in the 1990s, a team of para-psychiatrists is sent in to investigate the various mysteries surrounding the Church and its unsavoury legends. From the start, they begin to discover a paranormal world that defies belief. But as they dig deeper, not only do they uncover some of the secrets behind the ancient edifice designed by "Zombie King" Thomas Moreby but, hidden away beneath everything else, something so ancient and so terrifying that it is using the architect himself as a conduit to unimaginable evil.
After four days and nights, not everybody survives--and those that do will come to wish they hadn't. Imagine The Haunting of Hill House, The Amityville Horror, The Entity and The Stone Tape rolled together into the very fabric of a single building. And then imagine if all that horror is accidentally released . . .

There has always been something wrong about All Hallows Church. Not just the building, but the very land upon it stands. Reports dating back to Roman times reveal that it has always been a bad place--blighted by strange sightings, unusual phenomena, and unexplained disappearances.
So in the 1990s, a team of para-psychiatrists is sent in to investigate the various mysteries There has always been something wrong about All Hallows Church. Not just the building, but the very land upon it stands. Reports dating back to Roman times reveal that it has always been a bad place--blighted by strange sightings, unusual phenomena, and unexplained disappearances.
So in the 1990s, a team of para-psychiatrists is sent in to investigate the various mysteries surrounding the Church and its unsavoury legends. From the start, they begin to discover a paranormal world that defies belief. But as they dig deeper, not only do they uncover some of the secrets behind the ancient edifice designed by "Zombie King" Thomas Moreby but, hidden away beneath everything else, something so ancient and so terrifying that it is using the architect himself as a conduit to unimaginable evil.
After four days and nights, not everybody survives--and those that do will come to wish they hadn't. Imagine The Haunting of Hill House, The Amityville Horror, The Entity and The Stone Tape rolled together into the very fabric of a single building. And then imagine if all that horror is accidentally released . . .

30 review for
The Lovecraft Squad: All Hallows Horror

5 out of 5

Magdalena aka A Bookaholic Swede–Feb 20, 2017

The Lovecraft Squad is a book that promising in the beginning of the book, but unfortunately didn't manage to be interesting all the way until the end.
I loved the beginning of the book. Two boys are investigating a building site and they find a skull, a bone and a pot in the place where H.G. Wells house once upon a time had stood. I found this part chilling and the story just kept on being interesting, the discovery of scrolls that tells about the end of time. It was fascinating and intriguing The Lovecraft Squad is a book that promising in the beginning of the book, but unfortunately didn't manage to be interesting all the way until the end.
I loved the beginning of the book. Two boys are investigating a building site and they find a skull, a bone and a pot in the place where H.G. Wells house once upon a time had stood. I found this part chilling and the story just kept on being interesting, the discovery of scrolls that tells about the end of time. It was fascinating and intriguing and the idea of 7 people entering the haunted All Hallows Church and spending four days there sounded so incredibly awesome.
However, it's here the story started to drag a bit. At first, I loved the events (apparitions, etc.) at the church, but it came to a point when the story just didn't intrigue as much as it had before. The "surviving" members of the team is going beneath the church and into another world, it was pretty easy to see which world this was, but it took some time before this was addressed by one of them (hint a classic book about hell). And, they traveled from one level to another and I grew more and more bored and I had a suspicion that a certain twist would occur here and I was right.
But, despite this did the book end in an interesting way, and yes I would read the next book in the series. Partly because of the cliffhanger ending, but I did find the book, for the most part interesting.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!

4 out of 5

ᴥ Irena ᴥ–Feb 19, 2017

4.5
Have you ever read a book that seemed longer than its stated number of pages? Usually those are not very entertaining. One of the weird thing about The Lovecraft Squad: All Hallows Horror is that it is entertaining as Hell (pun intended for those who read it).
I'm lying. It is even better than that. It is packed.
The pace is perfect. You are slowly introduced to the main characters one chapter at a time, then the events slowly start moving forward. All thanks to the curiosity of two teenage bo 4.5
Have you ever read a book that seemed longer than its stated number of pages? Usually those are not very entertaining. One of the weird thing about The Lovecraft Squad: All Hallows Horror is that it is entertaining as Hell (pun intended for those who read it).
I'm lying. It is even better than that. It is packed.
The pace is perfect. You are slowly introduced to the main characters one chapter at a time, then the events slowly start moving forward. All thanks to the curiosity of two teenage boys.
It doesn't happen all at once, though. It takes a while to get to what the book summary promises: a group of people entering a supposedly haunted church. It takes a while to even mention the place. I admit I didn't read the blurb before reading the book. The title was enough for me. The book has a great and creepy beginning, one of the best I've come across and, unlike some stories I've read, the story only becomes better as it picks up speed and, boy, does it ever!
The characters are interesting enough, although this book relies more on the story rather than its characters. If you've ever watched or read a story where a group of people ends up in a haunted place, you know how it goes. This isn't criticism, just a fact. Trust me, the story is so rich and perfectly paced, it is enough. How the author develops this particular story and connects it to various others - from classics to Lovecraft to films. Also, I wouldn't be surprised to find out that he played a game or two.
Needless to say, I loved it. And I can't possibly explain how grateful I am that the author didn't use it to preach about whatever it is the main issue of today. This one will be good any time you read it, especially if you are a fan.
If you are in the mood for a great story that perfectly pays homage to Lovecraft and some other works (it would be a spoiler if I reveal the backbone of almost half the book), then get this book and have fun.
One of the things I found out of the ordinary is American spelling.
ARC received from Pegasus Books via NetGalley

4 out of 5

Kimberly–Feb 22, 2017

THE LOVECRAFT SQUAD, by John Llewellyn Probert, started off with a bang! The premise of what two boys "stumbled" into, combined with an "expert" from America's special knowledge of, really kept this novel going at a fast pace.
At least, for the fist 30-40% of the novel. After that, I found that things got a little more "cliched" in general, and even the dialog between the main characters seemed a bit of a stretch.
A solid first "half", followed by a lesser "second". I may try the next book in thi THE LOVECRAFT SQUAD, by John Llewellyn Probert, started off with a bang! The premise of what two boys "stumbled" into, combined with an "expert" from America's special knowledge of, really kept this novel going at a fast pace.
At least, for the fist 30-40% of the novel. After that, I found that things got a little more "cliched" in general, and even the dialog between the main characters seemed a bit of a stretch.
A solid first "half", followed by a lesser "second". I may try the next book in this series, just on the beginning strength, and see how it holds up from there.
*I received an ARC of this novel through NetGalley. All opinions are uniquely my own.*

4 out of 5

Sarah–Mar 27, 2017

Oohh creepy, creepiness in this one! Also some 'huh?' moments and a couple of 'wtf!?' moments too!
The first part starts off when two young lads are messing about on a building site and find some bones and a large clay urn, as you do. We're then introduced to Bob Chambers, a forensic Pathologist who works for a secret agency that investigates weirdness all over the world. After the suspicious death of the British Museums forensic pathologist (and by suspicious read 'stabbed his own eyes out and t Oohh creepy, creepiness in this one! Also some 'huh?' moments and a couple of 'wtf!?' moments too!
The first part starts off when two young lads are messing about on a building site and find some bones and a large clay urn, as you do. We're then introduced to Bob Chambers, a forensic Pathologist who works for a secret agency that investigates weirdness all over the world. After the suspicious death of the British Museums forensic pathologist (and by suspicious read 'stabbed his own eyes out and tried to cut his own throat') Bob is asked to check out the bones. More weirdness ensues and we meet Karen, a journalist writing about said bones even more weirdness ensues and the story ramps up.
Part two is set in an old church and it soon gets really weird, there's action, violence, creepiness and crazy people. This part fell a little flat for me and began the 'huh' and 'wtf' moments I was talking about, was still highly enjoyable just 'huh'.
What I really loved though was the inclusion of the word 'twonk' a word I haven't used in years and is always a pleasure to find it in any book, that word kept me involved until the very end of this book. Very well done!! Plus this is the first in a trilogy so I know I will be reading the other two, especially if twonk is included again!
*Huge thanks to John Llewellyn Probert, Pegasus Books and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*

5 out of 5

Elle Maruska–Feb 16, 2017

[Disclaimer: I received a free e-copy ARC of this book from NetGalley. Thank you to the publishers!]
As if to underscore my frustration with this book, for some reason my first attempt at a review didn't publish correctly.
I somewhat enjoyed the plot up until about 40% of the way in. It held my interest and I could see myself continuing with the series. However, the last 60% of the book was a confused, uninteresting morass that somehow combined the worst of a dry travelogue with a 9th grader's la [Disclaimer: I received a free e-copy ARC of this book from NetGalley. Thank you to the publishers!]
As if to underscore my frustration with this book, for some reason my first attempt at a review didn't publish correctly.
I somewhat enjoyed the plot up until about 40% of the way in. It held my interest and I could see myself continuing with the series. However, the last 60% of the book was a confused, uninteresting morass that somehow combined the worst of a dry travelogue with a 9th grader's last-minute book report on Dante's Inferno. The plot became ancillary and the descriptions weren't near enough to make up for the sheer monotony.
I'm quite disappointed. This book had little to do with Lovecraftian horror except perhaps by adopting some of Howard's less likable writing foibles. At least there were female characters though. I suppose that's something to commend. The two stars are for the fact that the characters weren't awful and the beginning held promise.
I will not be continuing with this series.

4 out of 5

August Is Azathoth The Haunted Reading Room–Dec 03, 2016

Review: THE LOVECRAFT SQUAD ALL HALLOWS CHURCH by John Llewellyn Probert
This novel is the first in "The Lovecraft Squad" series, created by Stephen Jones and written by John Llewellyn Probert. If you love Lovecraft Mythos, black magick, medieval history, or Dante, this book has it all (plus eternal zombies and shapeshifting and horror-horror-horror. Excellently written, articulate, this is a rereader.
Set in a historic decommissioned parish church in Blackheath, South London, a motley group of p Review: THE LOVECRAFT SQUAD ALL HALLOWS CHURCH by John Llewellyn Probert
This novel is the first in "The Lovecraft Squad" series, created by Stephen Jones and written by John Llewellyn Probert. If you love Lovecraft Mythos, black magick, medieval history, or Dante, this book has it all (plus eternal zombies and shapeshifting and horror-horror-horror. Excellently written, articulate, this is a rereader.
Set in a historic decommissioned parish church in Blackheath, South London, a motley group of parapsychology "investigators" set up for four days and nights at Christmas time, organized by a tabloid newspaper. They should have stayed well clear.

4 out of 5

Lilyn G. | Sci-Fi & Scary–Dec 24, 2016

This was a fantastic read that just kept getting better. It managed to creep me out, which (given the sheer amount I read) is surprisingly hard to do. The Lovecraft Squad managed to get me to the point where I had to stop reading one night. I was pretty sure one of the creatures was behind me, staring at me while I read it. And there was definitely too much eerie light in the room. (Regardless of the fact that I knew it was just my Kindle Paperwhite‘s illumination). It kicked my overactive imagi This was a fantastic read that just kept getting better. It managed to creep me out, which (given the sheer amount I read) is surprisingly hard to do. The Lovecraft Squad managed to get me to the point where I had to stop reading one night. I was pretty sure one of the creatures was behind me, staring at me while I read it. And there was definitely too much eerie light in the room. (Regardless of the fact that I knew it was just my Kindle Paperwhite‘s illumination). It kicked my overactive imagination firmly into high gear. Finally, I had to start thinking about something else, or I wasn’t going to sleep. Period.
When The Lovecraft Squad first starts out, you have no inkling that it’s going to turn out the way it does. It opens with a bit of Poltergeist-esque action, and you think the mood is set. But then as you read on, you think maybe light mystery with a tinge of the supernatural. Mildly creepy, but nothing special. And then…then there’s a scene involving a swirling ‘snowstorm’ of maggots. You start to realize you’re in for something special at that point. John Llewellyn Probert has a talent for disturbing descriptions that rivals some of Stephen King’s best works. This is a book to sink into when you’re in the mood for a good bit of soul-dampening unease and paranoia.
(Speaking of paranoia, just as I wrote the above line, I noticed my cat was on the back of the couch, staring at me like she’d really like to add human female to her dietary requirements.)
The characters aren’t particularly fleshed out, but then again they don’t particularly need to be. The Lovecraft Squad is a horror/mystery that’s set in a world where the Lovecraft mythos is a (mostly) unacknowledged reality. Probert thrusts you directly into the action, and you don’t have time to think much about character development. I will say by the end of it I definitely liked Chambers, the main male protagonist, though. He had a level head that I couldn’t help but appreciate. Speaking of characters, there was only one point where I had a quibble with the book. It was more of a twinge of disappointment, really. One of the characters had an unexpected twist that saw me drawing a jagged line through my notes on “How nice it was to have…” Ah well, nothing’s perfect.
Probert’s imagery sucks you in, and the action propels you along. This is not a book to read if you’re easily disturbed by vivid descriptions of gross, terrible, and/or unusual things. The Lovecraft Squad is, thankfully, also a book that can be read as a stand-alone. We need more books like that on bookseller’s shelves again, please. It’s a slower read, but a good one. I found myself going back and re-reading sections just to let it sink into my mind at times. Overall, this is a book that I highly recommend for horror readers in general. Well worth the read. Every word of it.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free from Netgalley for review consideration.

5 out of 5

Julia–Aug 12, 2017

I saw this book at the library and was drawn to the "Lovecraft" in the title. I thought the cover art looked juvenile and like this would be a book with some humor in it. Boy was I wrong. This is definitely written for an adult audience, and it is not an attempt to be funny. This is a serious horror book.
The book feels like a mash up between the Lovecraftian Universe and Dante's Nine Circles of Hell. I enjoyed the beginning of the book, but once it became a "locked in a haunted house" story, it I saw this book at the library and was drawn to the "Lovecraft" in the title. I thought the cover art looked juvenile and like this would be a book with some humor in it. Boy was I wrong. This is definitely written for an adult audience, and it is not an attempt to be funny. This is a serious horror book.
The book feels like a mash up between the Lovecraftian Universe and Dante's Nine Circles of Hell. I enjoyed the beginning of the book, but once it became a "locked in a haunted house" story, it lost a lot of originality and interest for me. The people were taken over so easily. The monsters are so strong and so omnipotent that it feels like resistance is futile.
The descriptions of the various levels of hell seemed both unique and and the same time repetitive. Go to the next level of hell, get chased by the inhabitants, narrowly escape. Bleh. I started losing interest and just finished the book out of habit, not because I cared what happened.
This is supposed to be the first book in a series. I think it suffered because I did not care about the characters at all. Bob Chambers, who supposedly works for an organization investigating odd events, did not seem very competent. Karen, the journalist he teams up with, was annoying. Together, they made a pretty weak team. The more I write about the book, the less I like it, so I am going to stop now.

5 out of 5

Crowinator–Sep 19, 2017

What was in the beginning a solid three-star book slowly devolved into a two-star one, much like multiple characters went from being human-shaped people to piles of fleshy goo.
This series opener was a fun pulpy read for the first 100 or so pages, until the interesting Lovecraftian premise about an investigator from the Human Protection League (HPL) investigating some disturbing scrolls and a cursed church turned into a bloated retread of Dante's Inferno. Though I have to say, the descriptions o What was in the beginning a solid three-star book slowly devolved into a two-star one, much like multiple characters went from being human-shaped people to piles of fleshy goo.
This series opener was a fun pulpy read for the first 100 or so pages, until the interesting Lovecraftian premise about an investigator from the Human Protection League (HPL) investigating some disturbing scrolls and a cursed church turned into a bloated retread of Dante's Inferno. Though I have to say, the descriptions of the nine circles of hell were inventive; it was the plot that was lacking.
The HPL-idea might work better as a serialized story or set of shared-world novellas, with different investigators taking the lead on different Lovecraftian mysteries. I think the next book in the series is like that, and I might give it a chance.

4 out of 5

GracieKat–Feb 01, 2017

First off I want to say that I love the cover artwork. It really puts me in mind of the older pulp horror magazines where Lovecraft and so many others got their start.
It seemed to me a mixture of Lovecraft's Haunter of the Dark, a bit of reference to Hell House and BBC's Ghost Watch program (which is very awesome, btw, I highly recommend it if you get the chance to watch it). It's a mix that goes well together.
The author has a knack for describing scenes very well. I could visualize the scen First off I want to say that I love the cover artwork. It really puts me in mind of the older pulp horror magazines where Lovecraft and so many others got their start.
It seemed to me a mixture of Lovecraft's Haunter of the Dark, a bit of reference to Hell House and BBC's Ghost Watch program (which is very awesome, btw, I highly recommend it if you get the chance to watch it). It's a mix that goes well together.
The author has a knack for describing scenes very well. I could visualize the scenes and the people. Even when I'd rather not because...maggots. and other creepy crawlies.
The first half of the book moves very quickly and kept me reading long after I should have been asleep. The middle half drags a bit with a lot of filler and not too much going on. However, the dialogue is interesting and the few things that do happen are creepy and keeps it from lagging too much. The third half revs up a bit and is highly entertaining with some very vivid descriptions.
There were some things, like the above mentioned, that mixed very well. There were some other things, however, that didn't work for me. Maybe it would for other people but (view spoiler)[the inclusion of Dante's Nine Levels of Hell doesn't really work for me. That's not to say that it wasn't a great section, because it was, it was very cool. And this might be being a bit of a purist on my part but since Lovecraft was an ardent atheist I don't think it really meshes well. But, again, other people might not notice it as much. (hide spoiler)]
The characterizations were done very well. Even the people I didn't particularly like, such as Dr. Chesney, I still felt sympathy for. However, I could not warm up to the reporter, Kate, much at all. Other people might, but dammit, she shouldn't have snipped that string!! Yes, I can really hold a grudge, even against a fictional character.
The only other character I fluctuated on was the main character, Chambers. This isn't spoiling much because it's said right in the first few chapters. Chambers works for the HPL (I love the initials, btw), the Human Protection League with the C.I.D. (Cthulhu Investigation Division). But there are so many times that (view spoiler)[he shrugs off strange happenings, or says that the things he's seeing are impossible and that he's never seen or heard anything like this before. Shouldn't he have, though? (hide spoiler)] I think more background on this character and what he has and has not done would have gone a long way to clearing this up.
Regarding the end, there was a flip that I did not see coming and really surprised me. Although the ending in general was a tiny bit of a let down. Not bad enough to ruin it but just a shade too easy. There was also one thing that I really did not get and it doesn't get explained.
I would recommend it in general but if you are well-versed in Lovecraft there are going to be some things that stand out a bit from the usual lore (view spoiler)[*cough*zombies*cough* (hide spoiler)] . If this continues as a series I'd be interested to see where it's going.
Received from Netgalley for an honest review.

5 out of 5

Dale–Feb 20, 2017

The first book in a great new horror series!
My thanks to my contacts at Pegasus Books, Iris Blasi, Katie McGuire, and Maia Larson, for my advance reading copy of this book! Rock on!
The Lovecraft Squad, also known as The Human Protection League, exists to battle the horrors of the Elder Gods such as Cthulhu and their myriad descendants and human servants. So when a Cthulian Horror rises in England, an ancient church is ground zero for horror unimagined. The League sends Doctor Bob Chambers to inv The first book in a great new horror series!
My thanks to my contacts at Pegasus Books, Iris Blasi, Katie McGuire, and Maia Larson, for my advance reading copy of this book! Rock on!
The Lovecraft Squad, also known as The Human Protection League, exists to battle the horrors of the Elder Gods such as Cthulhu and their myriad descendants and human servants. So when a Cthulian Horror rises in England, an ancient church is ground zero for horror unimagined. The League sends Doctor Bob Chambers to investigate.
Two schoolboys have found a skull, a long bone, perhaps a femur, and an ancient manuscript. Anyone who touches the artifacts finds him or herself in terrifying nightmares. The manuscript is called the “Soothsayer’s Tale” and appears to have been written by Geoffrey Chaucer…
Bob is drawn into a four-day isolation investigation in All Hallows Church. The church has been abandoned and was even desanctified by the Catholic Church. But the investigation is being pushed by an intrepid reporter and her newspaper.
There are seven people in the group. The reporter, Karen Shepworth; Doctor Bob Chambers; historian Dr. Rosalie Cruttenden; so-called Parapsychologist “Dr.” Peter Chesney; Father Michael Traynor, representative of the Catholic Church; and contest winners Paul Hale and “Ronnie” Quesnel.
These seven enter the church, Father Traynor having arrived first to open the place. The doors are shut and locked. They will open in four days, or if the panic button installed just inside doors on the wall.
Things begin to go wrong from the start. No amount of preparation could have prepared these seven people for what they will endure.
Perhaps the ghost of an ancient nun who speaks to Dr. Cruttenden says it best. Gasping from maggot-infested lips she intones: “Nine circles….the Gates of Hell….do not dig down below!”
This is perhaps one of the best horror tales I have read in recent history! The first chapter is a bit rough, loaded with f-bombs from the two boys who discover the artifacts. But after that the pure horror begins and rushes the reader like a charging bull which will chase him or her all the way to the last line! What lies down below?
I give the book five stars!
Quoth the Raven…

5 out of 5

Terrence–May 26, 2017

Sadly, I couldn't bring myself to complete this. I just couldn't keep interested/invested in it.
I didn't buy the main character as a grizzled veteran of battling dark forces.
The story was... well, very meh.
Ah, well. Back to the library.

5 out of 5

Sue–Mar 21, 2017

To preface this review: whenever I see Stephen Jones' name attached to a book, I expect excellence. I have read every one of his Year's Best Horror anthologies, which have introduced me to an incredible number of authors who have become stalwarts of the field, along with his excellent overview of each past year's highlights and lowlights.
This is a bit different - it's a novel, based on Lovecraftian style mythos, written by John Probert and edited by Stephen Jones. I had not read anything by Mr. To preface this review: whenever I see Stephen Jones' name attached to a book, I expect excellence. I have read every one of his Year's Best Horror anthologies, which have introduced me to an incredible number of authors who have become stalwarts of the field, along with his excellent overview of each past year's highlights and lowlights.
This is a bit different - it's a novel, based on Lovecraftian style mythos, written by John Probert and edited by Stephen Jones. I had not read anything by Mr. Probert prior to this novel. Mr. Jones has made no secret of his affection for Lovecraftian fiction, and Mr. Probert obviously benefited from Mr. Jones' knowledge and influence. Together, they crafted an extremely intricate and interesting story. Part ghost story, part Lovecraft, with an open ending that signals at least another book to come, this is a well-told and disturbing story of people pushed past their limits, forced to face their own vanities and weaknesses, and finally facing things from beyond our time and space. The setting - a desanctified church in Great Britain - is perfectly presented. The characters are well-drawn, for the most part, although a couple of them weren't fleshed out quite to my satisfaction before the demands of the story put an end to them. I look forward to the next book in what will hopefully be a series.

4 out of 5

Lieuvena–Jun 12, 2017

2.5 Stars.
Couldn't decided between 2 or 3. Did I like it or was it only okay? The thing is, the first half was great (minus the first chapter). It was a good, spooky story with an interesting plot and premise. Then partway through it just changed with no real transition. The story changed, the writing changed. It was fast paced, but almost too fast and it did really go well with the first half.
Then finally at the end you're sort of brought back to the original plot and it tries to to the two hal 2.5 Stars.
Couldn't decided between 2 or 3. Did I like it or was it only okay? The thing is, the first half was great (minus the first chapter). It was a good, spooky story with an interesting plot and premise. Then partway through it just changed with no real transition. The story changed, the writing changed. It was fast paced, but almost too fast and it did really go well with the first half.
Then finally at the end you're sort of brought back to the original plot and it tries to to the two halves together, and then...it ends. Not in a good cliffhanger way, but in an I'm tired and don't want to write and ending, sort of way.
(view spoiler)[It was like this this dude works forever to do this bad thing and he's actually succeeding and his undead army is escaping and the good guys are pretty much trapped but then he's all "Nah. It's not time, Everyone simmer down and head back to hell. You guys can escape now. Catch you later." (hide spoiler)]
Anyway, I guess it did it's job because even though the ending pissed me off and I didn't enjoy the second half as much, I'll read the next book to see what happens.

5 out of 5

Dean–Jun 02, 2018

The Lovecraft Squad is a work that offered a story that seemed to be a well-worn pastiche but turned into something else entirely. While I enjoy a work that has an unpredictable ending, much of it seemed Diablo ex machina.
I liked parts of the book and felt that the story had a good (if not predictable) start and wound up taking an unexpected detour after unexpected detour.
I didn't love this book. It was a quick read and entertaining enough but most of the characters and the events seemed easily The Lovecraft Squad is a work that offered a story that seemed to be a well-worn pastiche but turned into something else entirely. While I enjoy a work that has an unpredictable ending, much of it seemed Diablo ex machina.
I liked parts of the book and felt that the story had a good (if not predictable) start and wound up taking an unexpected detour after unexpected detour.
I didn't love this book. It was a quick read and entertaining enough but most of the characters and the events seemed easily tossed away. The ending didn't have much of a resolution or ending and the main characters just merely disappeared as if they were no longer required.
My main takeaway is that much of the book reminded me of a mediocre two part or three part Dr. Who episode, minus the doctor and with flea creatures replacing the Cybermen.
A character is introduced at the end after being mentioned and much of the work after that just smacked of authors wanting to finish something that they had been working on for too long.
I would not re-read this.

4 out of 5

Alissa–Jun 28, 2017

The first half of this book was exciting, and couldn't wait to see what happened next. I love a good haunted house story (or church, in this case). I read it really quickly...and then the second half came. I was at a loss as to why there were elements pulled from so many different sources, and I didn't feel they meshed together very well. The novel didn't feel very Lovecraftian at all. I'm a huge fan of the Master and I think the elements that the author used here were completely gratuitous. The The first half of this book was exciting, and couldn't wait to see what happened next. I love a good haunted house story (or church, in this case). I read it really quickly...and then the second half came. I was at a loss as to why there were elements pulled from so many different sources, and I didn't feel they meshed together very well. The novel didn't feel very Lovecraftian at all. I'm a huge fan of the Master and I think the elements that the author used here were completely gratuitous. The characters seemed to figure out what was happening to them very easily (I understand why, without giving anything away, it just didn't work for me) and there wasn't the suspense that I was hoping for. The plot just spiraled in the wrong direction, in my opinion. The ending was unsatisfying, and unfortunately, I have no interest in continuing with the series. Three stars for the first half of the book, which was really enjoyable.

5 out of 5

Atlassix–May 23, 2017

'All Hallows Horror' starts off in a relatively familiar setting - a famously haunted, abandoned church - that might lead the experienced reader to believe they know exactly what they'll be getting.
But beware - here be dragons! No sooner has the author got us uncomfortably settled within the sepulchral structure than we're plunged into Hell … literally.
John Llewellyn Probert deftly presents us with a kaleidoscope of chaos as we descend through horror after horror on a phantasmagoric journey to t 'All Hallows Horror' starts off in a relatively familiar setting - a famously haunted, abandoned church - that might lead the experienced reader to believe they know exactly what they'll be getting.
But beware - here be dragons! No sooner has the author got us uncomfortably settled within the sepulchral structure than we're plunged into Hell … literally.
John Llewellyn Probert deftly presents us with a kaleidoscope of chaos as we descend through horror after horror on a phantasmagoric journey to the worst place in the world (or any other world). A place from which there can surely no return?
But you'll have to answer that question yourself, of course.
This novel is the first in a new multi-author series featuring editor Stephen Jones' latest creation, The Lovecraft Squad. Whoever follows in JLP's footsteps had better be on their mettle as he has presented us with a very classy first act.

5 out of 5

Sam Gor–Mar 18, 2017

Classic Lovecraft.
Really enjoyed the narration.
Love the imagery and the madness.
I didn't know who Stephen Jones is but after reading the acknowledgements I'm really curious to check out his zombie series. I definitely have to check it out now.
Bob Chamber ain't no Bob Howard. That is the weakest part about the narrative. This talk about this US office who deals with Cthulian related incidences and Bob isn't really like prepared for any of this.
But beside that, everything was exceptionally. The a Classic Lovecraft.
Really enjoyed the narration.
Love the imagery and the madness.
I didn't know who Stephen Jones is but after reading the acknowledgements I'm really curious to check out his zombie series. I definitely have to check it out now.
Bob Chamber ain't no Bob Howard. That is the weakest part about the narrative. This talk about this US office who deals with Cthulian related incidences and Bob isn't really like prepared for any of this.
But beside that, everything was exceptionally. The actual madness takes place over a lot of pages.
Probert's flow is immacler. The book is like 357 pages and I finished it in a day. It just grabs at you and doesn't let go. The description of the happenings of the book is detailed and it makes you squirm but there's still that charm of it being over the top madness fun. I will definately check out his other books.
Don't know why goodreads list this book under Stephen Jones cause Jones only created the world that this book is the prequel of.

5 out of 5

Anthonia–Nov 30, 2017

Not what i was expecting. The story starts off good in the first part of the book but later it goes down hill from there. Not a love craft story but a zombie, horror, supernatural is more like it. Plot needed a little more work and story needs to follow the name of the book. It has very little to do with Lovecraft Squad.

5 out of 5

Emily–Dec 09, 2017

Pulpy. Marks for ambition in incorporating Chaucer and Dante, but ultimately this is more slush than smart.

5 out of 5

Glenn Giuttari–Dec 29, 2017

First part of the book was great. Then it was "downhill" from there....

5 out of 5

Eli–Nov 26, 2017

Yikes. It's legible, but not readable. The characters are annoying cardboard, the plot is obvious AND inexplicable, and I've rolled my eyes so hard they hurt. Save yourself.

5 out of 5

James–Sep 06, 2017

I made it about halfway through this pedestrian haunted house story that was lightly decorated with Lovecraftian touches. Neither the story or the characters were holding my attention and I gave up.

5 out of 5

Peter Fiske–Dec 20, 2017

Opened up promising then went downhill from there.

4 out of 5

Paula–Mar 10, 2017

I reviewed this book for NetGalley.

5 out of 5

Janet Martin–Jan 15, 2017

Links to Lovecraft seem everywhere this season--doors to alternative realities whether fantasy based or relying on string theory and quantum physics, Howard appears to rule! This classic horror novel set in contemporary haunted London is lots of fun with monsters galore.

4 out of 5

Lizzy Walker–Dec 31, 2016

Review for Monster Librarian forthcoming. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

5 out of 5

Catherine–

4 out of 5

Chuck Hatchell–

4 out of 5

Kayla–

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